Glide officials tried to put on a happy face, telling supporters $1 million was "nothing to sneeze at," although founder the Rev. Cecil Williams told the San Francisco Business Journal budget cuts are likely as a result.

Buffett will spend several hours discussing whatever the winner wants to talk about at posh New York City steakhouse Smith & Wollensky.

Last year's Buffett lunch was the most-expensive charity item ever sold on eBay.

The most expensive item ever sold on eBay was a jet that drew $4.9 million in 2001, eBay spokeswoman Karen Sayah told The Associated Press.

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